Not many know this, but Joy Belmonte—the current Vice Mayor of Quezon City—is an archaeologist. When her visitors find this out, they wonder: Where are the artifacts? Where are the skulls, bones, and the Indiana Jones hat? “We’re not allowed to take them home,” says Joy with a smile.

More than ten years ago, before she got married and filed for public office, Joy lived in this simple, two-bedroom unit in a high-rise condo. It was a modern space, but the homeowner’s fascination with the old and exotic was seen in every corner. Each room had its character: the living area was Asian; the dining area was Filipino, the master bedroom was Zen, and the guest bedroom was young and hip.

“When I was in graduate school [at the institute of Archaeology at London University], I studied Southeast Asia and South Asia [culture] and did my internship in Thailand. The living room contains most of what I collected during my travels.” While the main living areas were distinctly Asian, the guest bedroom was whimsical with prints from the cartoon series Adventures of Tintin. “Tintin was a journalist, an adventurer,” explains Joy. “I liked the idea of travel, adventure, and looking for artifacts.”

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Even though Joy has since moved on from her archaeology past onto the more hectic government arena, she still continues her adventures, albeit focusing on women’s rights and the good of the general public.